BCO calls for new office grading system

The UK’s current office grading system is no longer fit for purpose, says a new report from the British Council for Offices.

The report, authored by JLL for the BCO, found that fewer than 3% of respondents supported the current grading system. As such, the report proposes a comprehensive overhaul of how office quality is defined and measured.

The Redefining the Market: Beyond Grade A report presents a comprehensive analysis of how office quality is currently assessed and suggests a new scoring-based classification system that better reflects the evolving priorities of occupiers, investors and developers in the flexible working era.

The report proposes a new 100-point scoring matrix that evaluates buildings across four categories – physical quality, sustainability, technology and amenity – offering a more transparent and adaptable framework.

Key findings include:

* Widespread dissatisfaction with current grading: 89% of survey respondents agree that a more robust framework would provide greater clarity and consistency.

* Sustainability is now central: 96.5% of respondents rated sustainability certifications (e.g. EPC, BREEAM, NABERS) as essential to office quality – more than any other factor.

* New priorities emerging: Health and well-being, smart technology, and tenant amenities are now seen as critical components of office quality, yet are often overlooked in current classifications.

* A new tier of quality: The concept of “Super Prime” office space is gaining traction, defined by superior environmental performance, advanced technology and premium amenities.

The research draws on input from 89 representatives across 41 organisations, including developers, agents, investors and occupiers, as well as data from more than 180 survey responses and multiple stakeholder workshops.

The proposed new BCO grading system would use a scoring-based approach that allows for more nuanced differentiation between buildings. This includes a flexible matrix adaptable to both new-builds and retrofits, taking the form of a four-tier classification:

* Prime (≥80 points)

* Grade A (50–79 points)

* Grade B (30–49 points)

* Grade C (<30 points).

The criteria used cover natural light, floor-to-ceiling heights, building management systems, WiredScore rating, WELL certification, energy source, air quality and tenant amenities.

The framework has been tested on office schemes in London, Leeds, Manchester, Reading and Gloucester. These pilot applications demonstrate that best-in-class office space is no longer confined to central London and that high-quality retrofits can compete with new-builds.

The proposed BCO grading aims to support better decision-making, improve transparency, and align the industry with modern standards of performance and user experience.

BCO chief executive, Samantha McClary, says: “As demand for high-performing, sustainable and amenity-rich workplaces continues to grow, the industry needs a shared language to distinguish truly exceptional space. The proposed framework supports the market’s flight to quality and provides clarity for investors, developers and tenants alike. It’s about creating offices that deliver long-term value – for people, for performance and for the planet.”

Elaine Rossall, report author and JLL head of offices research, says: “Office market standards and occupier expectations have evolved since the pandemic. While traditional physical characteristics remain important, there has been a shift towards emphasising building performance and user experience, and it was encouraging to see that there was a strong recognition and a consensus for change from across a broad cross section of stakeholders.  This is key for industry adoption and to ensure relevance over the longer term.”

The BCO is now calling for further feedback from both its members and the wider office community on the proposed new grading system.